Voice and video calls on VKontakte have become an integral part of communication for millions of users, but not everyone knows how to activate and configure them correctly on Androiddevices. If you encounter problems when trying to make a call through the app - calls do not arrive, the interlocutor cannot hear you, or the function is completely missing from the menu - this article will help you understand the reasons and troubleshoot problems.

We will look at all the stages in detail: from basic permission settings to solving specific errors related to the application version, operating system or hardware limitations of the smartphone. We will pay special attention microphone and camera resolutions, which often block the function, and also tell you how to check the compatibility of your Androiddevice with the latest updates VK.

Important: if you use modified firmware (for example MIUI, ColorOS or Flyme) or older versions Android (below 8.0), some steps may differ. In such cases, we will provide alternative solutions.

Checking the compatibility of the device and VK version

Before setting up calls, make sure your device supports this feature. Voice and video calls in VKontakte are available in the application starting from version 5.20 (2019), but for stable operation it is recommended to use the current version. Check it like this:

  1. Open Google Play Market.
  2. In the search, enter “VKontakte».
  3. If next to the button "Update" or "Install" there is no mark "Installed", which means you have an outdated version.

Minimum requirements for calls:

  • 📱 Android 6.0 and above (for video calls - Android 8.0+).
  • 🔋 At least 1 GB RAM (lags are possible on devices with 512 MB).
  • 📶 Stable connection to Wi-Fi or 4G/5G (3G may not support video calls).
  • 🎤 Working microphone i speaker (check in other applications, for example, in WhatsApp).
📊 What version of Android are you using?
Below 8.0
8.0–10.0
11.0–12.0
13.0 and above

If your device meets the requirements, but calls still do not work, the problem may lie in regional restrictions or blocking by operatorFor example, some mobile operators in RF and CIS limit VoIP traffic (voice calls via Internet).

Setting permissions for microphone and camera

A common reason for calls not working is lack of necessary permissions. The application VK must have access to the microphone (for voice calls) and camera (for video calls). You can check and enable permissions in two ways:

Method 1: Through Android settings

  1. Open Settings → Applications.
  2. Find VKontakte in the list and tap on it.
  3. Select Permissions.
  4. Activate the switches next to:
    • 🎤 Microphone (required for all types calls).
    • 📷 Camera (for video calls only).
    • 📍 Location (optional, but may affect the quality of the connection).

Method 2: Through the VK application

On the first call, the system itself will ask for permission. If you previously clicked “Deny", do the following:

  1. Open VKontakte and go to Profile → Settings (⚙️) → Privacy.
  2. Scroll to the "Application Permissions" block and click "Edit».
  3. Enable access to the microphone and camera.

Are permissions for the microphone open?

Is access to the camera enabled (for video calls)?

Is VK allowed to use data about location?

Has the application been updated to the latest version?-->

Attention! On some firmware (for example, EMUI from Huawei or One UI from Samsung) permissions may be reset after a system update. Check them before important calls.

Enabling calls in VK settings

Even if permissions are configured, the call function itself can be disabled in the application settings. To activate it:

  1. Open VKontakte and go to Profile → Settings (⚙️).
  2. Select section "Calls" (in some versions - "Voice and video calls»).
  3. Make sure that the switch "Allow calls" is turned on (must be blue).
  4. In the same menu you can configure:
    • 🔔 Notifications about incoming calls (enable if notifications do not arrive).
    • 🎧 Use the default speaker (useful for speakerphone communication).
    • 🔒 Prohibit calls from strangers (if you are worried about spam calls).

If the "Calls" section is not in the settings, this may mean:

  • 📵 You outdated version of the application (update it).
  • 🌍 Your account is tied to the region, where calls are not supported (for example, some countries EU).
  • 🔄 VK servers are temporarily unavailable (check the status on the website vk.com/dev).
💡

If after enabling calls in the settings, the function still does not appear, try reinstall the application or clear its cache in the Android settings (Settings → Applications → VK → Memory → Clear cache).

Solving problems with sound and video

If calls are connected, but the other party cannot hear or see you, the problem may be in hardware settings or a conflict with other applications. Let's consider typical scenarios:

1. There is no sound when calling

Check:

  • 🔈 Volume in the phone (it may be turned down or silent mode is on).
  • 🎧 Connected headphones (if they are faulty, the sound may disappear).
  • 🔄 Do not disturb mode (turn it off in the notification shade).
  • 📱 Sound settings in VK: during a call, tap on the screen and select "Speaker" or "Phone».

2. The camera does not work

If during a video call the screen is black or shows an error:

  • 📷 Make sure that the camera is not occupied by another application (for example, Instagram or TikTok).
  • 🔄 Reboot the phone - this will reset temporary driver errors cameras.
  • 🛠️ Check the camera in the standard application "Camera" - if it does not work there, the problem is in the hardware.

3. data-i="189">Causes and solutions:

Causes and solutions:

Problem Possible cause Solution
Call is interrupted after 10-30 seconds Weak signal Wi-Fi or mobile network Connect to another network or move closer to the router
The interlocutor's voice is interrupted CPU overload (especially on budget smartphones) Close background applications before calling
Video freezes Low Internet speed (less than 1 Mbps) Turn off the camera or switch to an audio call
Echo or noise in the speaker Conflict with Bluetooth devices Disable Bluetooth before calling

Critical information: if you use a VPN or proxy server, VKontakte calls may not work due to blocking of VoIP traffic. Disable VPN before calling or add vk.com to exceptions.

Optimizing calls to save traffic

Video calls consume a significant amount of Internet traffic - up to 500 MB per hour at high quality. If you have a limited tariff, set VK to save:

  1. Open VK Settings → Calls → Video call quality.
  2. Select "Save traffic" (resolution will be reduced to 360p).
  3. Disable the option "Automatic video enhancement" (if it is in your version).

Additional tips:

  • 📶 Use Wi-Fi instead of the mobile data.
  • 🔋 Close other applications that consume traffic (for example, YouTube or Twitch).
  • ⏱️ Limit the duration of video calls (for example, to 20-30 minutes).
How much traffic does a VK call consume?

Audio call: ~30–50 MB/hour (depending on the codec).

Video call in Economy mode: ~150–200 MB/hour.

Video call in high quality: up to 500 MB/hour.

For comparison: watching a video in YouTube in 720p consumes ~600 MB/hour.

VK calls on older versions of Android (5.0–7.0)

If your smartphone runs on Android 5.0–7.0, you may encounter limitations:

  • 🚫 Video calls may not be supported (only audio).
  • 🐢 Audio delays due to outdated drivers.
  • 🔄 Frequent connection dropouts with a weak Internet.

Solutions for older devices:

  1. Install light version of VK (for example, VK Lite), if it is available in your region.
  2. Disable hardware acceleration in the developer settings: 
    Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times)

    Settings → For developers → Disable hardware acceleration

  3. Use browser version of VK (m.vk.com) - sometimes it is more stable than the mobile application.

⚠️ Attention: On Android 5.0 and below VK calls can work unstable due to lack of support for modern protocols WebRTC. If the quality of communication is critical, consider upgrading your device or using alternative messengers (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp).

Alternative methods of calls via VK

If standard calls do not work, use alternative methods:

1. Calls through the browser

Open mobile or desktop version of VK in the browser (Chrome, Firefox):

  1. Go to vk.com and log in.
  2. Open a dialogue with the interlocutor.
  3. Tap on the icon handset (for an audio call) or video cameras (for a video call).

2. Calls through VK Mini Apps

Some mini-applications inside VK (for example, "Calls" or "Video chat") allow you to make calls even if the main function is disabled. To find them:

  1. Open VKontakte and go to the section "Games" or "Services».
  2. In the search, enter “calls».
  3. Select the appropriate mini-application and follow instructions.

3. Calls through bots

Some bots (for example, @VKCallBot) allow you to initiate a call through a command. To do this:

  1. Find the bot in VK search.
  2. Send the command "/call [ID of the interlocutor]».
  3. Confirm the call in the window that opens.
💡

Browser the VK version often supports calls even where the mobile application refuses to work. This is a universal method for devices with outdated firmware or limited resources.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about VK calls on Android

Is it possible to call via VK without the Internet?

No, VKontakte calls work using technology VoIP (voice via Internet), so they are inaccessible without a network connection. Unlike regular mobile calls, the operator’s cellular connection is not used here.

Why can’t the other person hear me, although the microphone works in other applications?

Possible reasons:

  • Access to the microphone is disabled in VK settings (check in Android Settings → Applications → VK → Permissions).
  • Conflict with another application that uses a microphone (for example, a voice assistant).
  • Failures WebRTC (try reinstalling VK).
How to enable notifications about missed calls?

Go to VK Settings → Notifications → Calls and enable the "Show missed ones" Also check if notifications for VK are disabled in Android settings (Settings → Applications → VK → Notifications).

Is it possible to record VK calls?

Officially, there is no call recording function in VK. However, you can use third-party applications to record the screen (for example, AZ Screen Recorder), but warn the interlocutor about the recording - this requires his consent by law.

Why does the screen go blank when making a call?

This is a standard battery saving feature. To keep the screen from turning off:

  1. Open Android Settings → Screen → Sleep.
  2. Set the maximum time waiting time (for example, 10 minutes).
  3. Or enable the "Do not turn off the screen during calls" mode in the VK settings (if it is in your version).